Police warning after spate of burglaries in St Helens

Andy Moffatt

Police in St Helens are warning residents to take extra security measures following a spate of night-time break-ins.

A number of attempted burglaries have taken place in Blackbrook.

The first offence in the spate took place between 12.30pm on Friday, June 24 and 11am on Sunday 26 when an attempted burglary took place at a house in Grantham Crescent, Blackbrook.

Offenders attempted to gain access to the property but were unsuccessful.

Then at at around 4am on Wednesday, July 6 the occupants of the same property were awoken by a noise and saw someone running away from the outside of the property.

When officers viewed CCTV from the local area a white Astra van driven by a male wearing a grey hooded top was seen in the area.

Meanwhile, at a nearby house on Wysall Close between 11pm on Tuesday, July 5 and 6.30am on Wednesday 6 an unknown offender entered the property and stole the keys to a VW Caddy van. CCTV from 4am on July 6 shows a white van driving along a neighbouring street and stop out of view.

A range Rover was stolen in another incident which took place in Windle. Between 10.30pm on Wednesday, July 6 and 2am on Thursday 7 an unknown offender entered a home on Windlebrook Crescent and take a black Range Rover. The vehicle was abandoned a short time later close to the Sainsbury’s store, off Knowsley Road.

In the wake of the burglaries, police have issued an appeal to the public to secure their properties and keep their car keys out of sight following a number of incidents in the St Helens area.

Det Con Jeff Huxley, of St Helens CID, said: “We would like to reassure the community that we are working to identify the person or persons responsible for these offences and I would appeal to anyone who has any information which could help with our investigation to contact us.

“I would continue to urge local residents to check their front doors, windows and garage doors to prevent becoming easy targets, and ensure your car keys are safely out of sight.

“Once you get into the habit of doing a quick check it doesn’t take much time at all and can save you a lot of distress in the long run.

“I would also ask anyone who may seen any vehicle acting suspiciously in their neighbourhood to get in touch.

“We also continue to distribute crime prevention advice to victims and residents, which is also available on the Force website.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact St Helens CID on 0151 777 6881, the non-emergency 101 number or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.